According to Wccftech, Genshin Impact developer miHoYo is working on a major departure from its signature anime style with a new fantasy open-world MMO featuring realistic graphics built on Unreal Engine 5. The upcoming project will include PvP combat, an AI-simulated ecological system, large-scale boss fights, and advanced AI-powered NPCs that represent a significant gameplay shift from their current titles. A recently released early development video shows visuals that appear more technically advanced than anything the studio has previously created. This move comes alongside other Chinese open-world games like Where Winds Meet, which launches globally on November 14, signaling an industry trend toward realistic graphics in free-to-play titles. The developer faces the challenge of optimizing Unreal Engine 5’s known performance issues while delivering an experience that can compete with their previous successful games.
The Big Strategy Shift
Here’s the thing – miHoYo is basically betting that the same audience that loves Genshin Impact’s colorful anime aesthetic will embrace a more realistic, Western-style fantasy world. That’s a massive gamble for a company that’s built its entire identity around stylized graphics. They’re clearly aiming for the premium AAA space that’s traditionally been dominated by paid games rather than free-to-play titles.
And the timing is interesting. With multiple Chinese developers pushing into realistic open-world games simultaneously, we’re seeing what looks like coordinated market expansion. They’re not just competing with each other anymore – they’re coming for the Elden Rings and Horizon Forbidden Wests of the world.
The Technical Hurdles
Unreal Engine 5 is incredible technology, but it’s notoriously demanding. Can miHoYo actually deliver a smooth experience across mobile, console, AND PC? Genshin Impact works because it’s optimized to run on practically anything – will they manage similar optimization with UE5’s more intensive features?
Then there’s the AI component. “AI-simulated ecological system” and “advanced AI-powered NPCs” sound impressive, but we’ve heard these promises before. The real question is whether they can implement AI in ways that actually enhance gameplay rather than just serving as marketing buzzwords.
What This Means for Gaming
If miHoYo pulls this off, we could be looking at a fundamental shift in what free-to-play games can achieve. We’re already seeing the lines blur between premium and free experiences, but realistic graphics powered by UE5 would basically erase that distinction entirely.
The bigger picture? Chinese developers are no longer content dominating the mobile and anime-style markets. They’re coming for the entire gaming landscape, and with their massive resources and technical talent, they might just succeed. It’s going to be fascinating to watch how Western studios respond to this new level of competition.
